Comments are by Councilmembers Llatetra Brown Esters and Susan Whitney and are not approved or sanctioned by the City of College Park.

Announcements /Comments

Hayden Renaghan, SGA Liaison, shared with Council the success of the recent IFC/PHA clean up.  Four chapters conducted the cleanup that reached Norwich Street, College Ave, Hartwick Street, and Rhode Island Ave.  A form will be sent out to City Councilmembers to share with residents to complete to request cleanups in their neighborhoods.  Once completed, the information will be shared with IFC and PHA to schedule and coordinate cleanups. 

Councilmember Kabir shared information about the upcoming North College Park Community Association meeting to be held on Thursday, March 10 at 7pm.  He acknowledged that new Councilmembers Adams and Whitney will be in attendance.  

City Manager’s Report 

Kenneth Young, City Manager shared information about the City’s Summer Youth Camp Scholarship Program and indicated that application information is posted on the City webpage. He also shared information about the virtual meeting to be held by M-NCPPC on Thursday, March 10 at 7pm to discuss plans for a new playground at Paint Branch Elementary School, the upcoming visioning workshop to be held on March 14 regarding the College Park Age-Friendly Action Plan, and the upcoming Greenbelt Corridor Plan visioning meeting to be held on March 23.   

He closed his comments by mentioning that the City and the University of Maryland were chosen by the Washington Business Journal as a finalist for the 2022 Best Real Estate Deals in the Best Redevelopment category for the new City Hall. The overall winner in each category will be announced at the awards celebration on Thursday, April 28^th. He recognized the outstanding work of Ed McGinnis, Suellen Ferguson and Tracey Skinner.

Proclamations and Awards

Mayor Wojahn read a Women’s History Month proclamation.

Consent Agenda

Councilmember Riggs requested adding the action item related to the North College Park Community Center (22-G-42) to the Consent Agenda

Councilmember Whitney requested that we add sending a letter in support of HB1333, a bill that would stiffen the penalties formodified mufflers, to the Consent Agenda so the Council could show its support prior to the March 10^th hearing,  provided such a letter had not yet been sent. City Clerk Janeen Miller confirmed that it had not, and the matter was added to the Consent Agenda.

In addition to the above-mentioned items, the Consent Agenda included:

22-R-05 Resolution Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Adopting The Recommendation Of The Advisory Planning Commission Regarding Variance Application Number CPV-202202, 6909 Rhode Island Avenue, College Park, Maryland, Recommending Approval Of A 10.0% Lot Coverage Variance From Section 27-442(C) Table II Of The Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance, For An Addition.  

22-G-37 Award renewal contracts for employees’ health, dental and worker’s compensation insurance coverages, and the City’s general liability insurances, for FY 2023 for a total budgeted cost of $1,874,182 –Teresa Way-Pezzuti, Director of Human Resources  

 22-G-38 Approval of a contract amendment in substantially the form attached to the Consultant Agreement with Mead and Hunt, Inc. for additional services in the amount of $33,394.36 to complete design of the Hollywood Road sidewalk project – Terry Schum, Director of Planning    

22-G-43 Authorize staff to contract with Cable Video Specialists, Inc. in the amount of $63,310.58 to purchase the Cablecast hardware, software, warranties, and installation services as described in the attached quote.  Council waives its regular procurement process to authorize this purchase – Bill Gardiner, Assistant City Manager   

 22-G-50 Approval of minutes from the February 1, 2022 Work session; February 1, 2022 Special Session

The Consent Agenda approved by Council

Public Hearings 

Petition Request for Traffic Calming in the 4600 Block of Guilford Road 

The overview of the traffic study was conducted by Steve Halpern, City Engineer.  The volume of traffic met the criteria for traffic calming measures while the speeding criterion was not met.  According to Mr. Halpern, there were no accidents that have been reported from the study area. 

Keann Bhatt was the initiator of the traffic calming petition and provided anecdotal input regarding speed that occurs during the week despite the traffic report.  Mr. Bhatt mentioned enthusiastic support from neighbors for traffic calming measures.

Ms. Gee does not mind a traffic calmer but does not want it in front of her house.  She indicated that there was an accident in front of her home 6 years ago and said she didn’t understand why it was not included in the report that was shared.  Renewal of Participation in the Greater College Park RISE Zone Program

Michael Williams, Director of Economic Development, led the discussion on this matter.  He indicated that the Stone Straw property was not part of the original application and will not be included.  The tax credit offered through this program will be 50% rather than 75%.  The State also offers a 10% tax credit to participants.  

According to Mr. Williams, RISE zones are used to attract economic entities and activity.  There is only one Enterprise Zone in Prince George’s County while there are are over 100 opportunity zones. 

In 2016, the Mayor and Council voted to participate in the Greater College Park RISE Zone for five years.  The program will offer incentives to tech companies, and this particular program will offer rental assistance to companies as greater incentive. State legislation passed last year created the rental assistance portion of the program and funding to support it. Subject to availability, the state will offer $3 for every $1 of assistance a RISE Zone entity elects to offer. The program will be a key component to the economic development of the City.   

Ms. King testified about the large impact of the Greater College Park RISE Zone. 

Ms. Cook testified that we should stopped giving huge tax credits and use the money for our residents. 

Ordinance to amend the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget

Gary Fields, Director of Finance, gave an overview of the ordinance intended to allow the City to accept a set amount of recovery funds in the amount of $10 million.  Whatever funds are not used can be transferred to Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds.  

Councilmember Kabir asked about the procedures to allocate the $10 million.  Gary Fields mentioned that some will be in the current fiscal year and the remainder will be in FY2023.  He mentioned another $3.5 million that City Council will need to take action on spending.  Mr. Young mentioned that later in the week Council will receive the proposed FY23 budget and will need to determine how funds will be spent.  

Ordinance for Revitalization Tax Credit

City Attorney Suellen Ferguson led the discussion for this proposed ordinance to allow for a change in the level 2 Revitalization tax credit. The ordinance would allow the City to offer a larger credit for a longer period of time.  Can be utilized if the County grants a PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) for a development. Ferguson explained that passage would allow Council to consider providing further incentives for government-supported projects, such as affordable housing developments.

Mr. King expressed concern about the lack of a public session/discussion of this matter.  

Mrs. King said the proposed tax break would be a whopping tax credit.  She asked for the city to consider a financial consultant to understand a developer’s financial practices before granting such a tax credit.  

Ordinance regarding the acquisition of 4704 Calvert Rhode/7307 Rhode Ave

Kenneth Young, City Manager, provided an overview of the property and details regarding the potential acquisition. Specifically, he addressed how we got to 1.7 million dollars. He said the county’s assessed value for 470 Calvert Rd is $700 thousand. He noted that assessed value tends to be much less than market value and added that the existing rental brings in $48 thousand in annual revenue. Based on comparable lots that sold nearby, the five lots on the remainder of property would market at $200 thousand each, bringing the total value to $1.7 million. The Phase 1 Environmental review found no issues, and a title report and appraisal are underway.  

Councilmember Riggs asked how it is looking to close prior to 3/17.  Mr. Young indicated that things were moving in that direction. 

Councilmember Mackie asked for an explanation of R-55 and R-18 zoning.  Terry Schum, Director of Planning, explained that R-55 pertained to single-family units and R-18 pertained to multi-family units.  

Councilmember Adams asked about the funding that would be used to make the purchase.  Mr. Young indicated that CIP funds would be used, not ARPA funds.  

Dr. Kabir asked about how residents would be engaged to give input into the use of the property.  Mr. Young shared that he did not want to move beyond the Council on determining how that would happen. He indicated that Council would meet to discuss engagement on this topic.

David Dortsch questioned the emergency of the ordinance.  

A resident asked how the contract has been signed if the council has not approved and said the city should not go into property development business. 

GW Rowlings –Hopes the city will buy the property because it has been maintained as affordable housing for those who currently occupy the property.  Believes it would help the city to begin an affordable housing program.

Mrs. King – Does not believe that the council should pay 1.7 million for open space.  If there is an emergency, she said, the council created it.  

Alaina Pitt said she’s still not pleased with the process, but after speaking with Councilmembers, she is for the purchase as long as housing is what it is used for.  Housing is what is needed, especially dense housing.  She spoke of the importance of housing near Metro and employment.  

Mary Cook expressed concern about the process, saying staff should have brought this to the Council much sooner since they knew about it a year ago.  She thought it unwise to make this purchase outside of the budget process, some would say irresponsible.  

Action Items

22-G-39 Council consideration of the petition request for traffic calming in the 4600 block of Guilford Road – Steve Halpern, City Engineer – Motion made and seconded with a unanimous vote in favor by Council. 

22-R-06 Adoption of a Resolution confirming the City’s participation in the renewal of the Greater College Park RISE Zone application – Michael Williams, Economic Development Manager – Motion made and seconded with unanimous vote in favor by Council.  Comments – Councilmember Mackie will support even though she is conservative when it comes to tax credits.  Councilmember Kabir thanked the residents who came out to testify.  Councilmember Mitchell indicated her appreciation for the work on the application and understands the potential for such a program to help the economic development of the City. Councilmember Whitney pointed out that bringing more tech businesses to College Park with these incentives could help make College Park the place to be for such businesses, saying that creating that critical mass also leads to better amenities for everyone in the city. She compared it to walking down the street and seeing a half empty restaurant next to a bustling one and asked, “Which one are you going into?”

22-G-41 Approval of additional FY 22 public school education grants to Cherokee Lane Elementary School and Hollywood Elementary School – Carolyn Bernache, Chair, Education Advisory Committee and Kiaisha Barber, Director, YFSS   22-O-02 Adoption of Ordinance.  Motion made and seconded with unanimous vote in favor by Council.  Comments – Councilmember Mackie thanks Dr. Bernache and the EAC for their work and mentioned that she in fact attended Cherokee Elementary School.  Councilmember Esters acknowledge that the grants offered are not big-ticket items, but impact big outcomes related to student development.  She thanked everyone involved in the work. 

22-O-02, An Ordinance to amend the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget (FY 2022 Budget Amendment #2) to transfer the recovery of lost revenue of $10M from the ARPA allocation – Gary Fields, Finance Director.  Motion made and seconded with unanimous vote in favor by Council.  

22-O-03 Adoption of Ordinance 22-O-03, an Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park, Amending Chapter 175 “Taxation”, Article IV, “Revitalization Tax Credit”, §175-10 “Eligibility Criteria” To Authorize The Mayor And Council To Approve A Level Two Tax Credit For A Property That Has Received Authority From Prince George’s County For A Payment In Lieu Of Taxes Under §7-506.1 Of The Taxation-Property Article, Annotated Code Of Maryland – Suellen Ferguson, City Attorney. Motion made and seconded with unanimous vote in favor by Council. Comments – Councilmember Rigg said the opportunity to provide incentives for affordable housing is another tool we can use to meet our goals. Councilmember Kabir pointed out that the Council is not approving a tax break for a specific development. He said that it is considering an ordinance that would give it the option to offer tax credits. He said we’d have to look at what a development would offer in terms of affordable housing, location, and what kind of impact the development would have on the community as far as traffic and schools, etc. Offering the credit will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

22-O-04 Adoption of 22-O-04, An Emergency Amended Ordinance Of The Mayor And Council Of The City Of College Park Authorizing The Acquisition Of Certain Property Located At 4704 Calvert Road and 7307 Rhode Island Avenue, College Park, Maryland, For A Public Purpose.  Motion made and seconded with unanimous vote in favor by Council.  Comments – Councilmember Riggs said that if the City did not purchase swiftly, we would lose this opportunity, especially since others are interested.  He also commented that, contrary to testimony, this purchase would be part of our strategic plan, specifically as it relates to affordable housing and green space.  He shared a previous conversation he’d had with the owner where he asked if they ever wanted to sell, to consider the City; he was glad to see that the City was considered.  He went on to share his support of staff and their work related to this acquisition. Councilmember Mitchell indicated that she would support this purchase and seek input from residents. Councilmember Kabir indicated his support but discussed his concerns about the process.  He made a visit to the site and understood concerns that residents expressed for maintaining the character of the community.  He thought there should have been an appraisal of the property before the signing of the contract.  He asked about a financial analysis of what is proposed for the property.  Councilmember Adams expressed his hope that regardless of location, the Council would move expeditiously in the future to take advantage of such opportunities.  Ms. Sevalia, SGA Liaison, asked if there were any specifics about when the public discussion surrounding the use of the property would occur . Mayor Wojahn responded that any discussion or decisions will be a fully public process. (Note that no timeline for considering use of the property had yet been established since the purchase had not been finalized and due diligence had not yet been completed.)

22-G-40 Presentation and possible action on the request to amend Detailed Site Plan 09028-2 for MSquare/Discovery District – Terry Schum, Director of Planning. Ms. Schum explained that the request did not include a detailed staff report or recommendation.  She went on to explain that the applicant is asking to go through the limited minor amendment process.  The County’s Director of Planning is leaving the decision to College Park and Riverdale Park to determine and identify whether the requested changes should be considered minor, which would allow development to proceed without a revised site plan, or  major, which would require the developer to present a revised detailed site plan to the Planning Board.  

Gibbs and Haller’s Thomas H. Haller, the attorney representing the developer, indicated that it was the first time he had come before the College Park City Council to talk about building in  College Park rather than Riverdale Park.  Dean Lopez of MSquare/Discovery District developer Corporate Office Properties Trust  explained that this is a 15-year-old joint venture.  He said, to date, there has been an investment of $22 million.  They have watched the community become a more thriving area and discussed other advantages such as the proximity of WMATA and the connection to Riverdale Park.  He went on to explain that they were coming to Council because the difference between a minor change and major change could mean an additional 5-6 months; he said there’s a great need for space now.  

Councilmember Mackie asked if there had been a recent traffic study.  It was explained that an initial traffic study was conducted about 20 years ago.  The change in the configuration of the buildings would not call for a traffic study, but their goal of adding another building in the future would require one.  Councilmember Whitney asked Mr. Williams for his input regarding the project.  He explained that he did not want to step on Ms. Schum’s toes but likes the project and encouraged Council to listen to the developer. Councilmember Esters asked how quickly the developer would like to move forward with construction. Mr. Lopez replied that construction is seasonal. They want to break ground later this year, before winter, and to have site prep done before the worst of winter. He said that having to present a revised site plan would miss those seasonal deadlines, pushing the project farther back into next year.

Motion made and seconded with unanimous vote in favor. 

Closed Session

Mayor and Council met in closed session to review applications for the Restorative Justice Commission.  They did not return to open session.  

Click here to see the meeting agenda for March 8, 2022

Click here to see the Mayor and Council Work session scheduled for March 15, 2022